THE HOLLYOAKS cast list over the years has seen a number of hugely successful actors come and go, and some have never left!

Here's a look at where your favourite child actors from the soap are now.

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Nathalie played Sasha Valentine in the soapCredit: Channel 4

Nathalie Emmanuel
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood, Nathalie has to be one of the soap’s most famous exports – the actress joined in 2006 as Sasha Valentine when she was 17.

After years of getting in trouble as Sasha – her character experimented with recreational drugs, developed a heroin addiction, had a subsequent overdose, became a sex worker, and was a victim of a series of violent attacks – Nathalie left Hollyoaks in 2010.

Not long after, in 2013, the actress landed her role on the HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones as Missandei, Daenerys Targaryen's interpreter.

In season eight, Nathalie’s character was killed off by the Mountain in a particularly brutal death that saw the former slave back in chains before she was beheaded.

Speaking to Vanity Fair about her character’s death, Nathalie revealed she wasn’t surprised when her time came to die and touched upon the backlash it sparked due to the show’s racial blind spot.

“So many people die in that show and I guess I didn’t think I was any safer than anybody else in that respect.

“But I am fully aware and engaged in the conversation of representation because I am the only woman of color in this show that has been on there regularly for many seasons, and Jacob [Anderson, who plays Unsullied commander Grey Worm] and I are fully engaged in that conversation constantly and throughout our whole time together.”

Nathalie currently stars as Maya in the Mindy Kaling Hulu original series, Four Weddings and a Funeral.

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Nathalie starred in Game of Thrones star after she left ChesterCredit: Alamy

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The 31-year-old actress now stars in Hulu's Four Weddings and a FuneralCredit: AFP or licensors

Emma Rigby
Emma Rigby was just 15 when she joined the cast as sweet, little Hannah Ashworth.

Emma’s character had a difficult time in Hollyoaks. Not only was there copious family drama (her mum got pregnant by her husband Darren, and her brother Rhys fell in love with his twin sister), but she also developed bulimia.

Emma received praise and recognition for her character's eating disorder storyline, in which she was nominated for various awards including the British Soap Award for Best Actress in 2008.

After leaving in 2010, Emma has gone on to star in a number of dramas for the BBC, Sky One and Netflix, including Prisoners' Wives, Bulletproof, and American fantasy-drama, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

Last year, Emma appeared in the film A Guide to Second Date Sex alongside actor George MacKay.

In April 2020, it was announced that she would be a part of the cast of BBC Three's tv film, Make Me Famous.

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Emma was just 15 when she joined the show

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Her character had an eating disorderCredit: Handout pic - refer to Picture Desk

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Since leaving, Emma has acted in lots of different series and filmsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Chris Fountain
Every girl loves a bad boy and Hollyoaks proved to be no different when Chris Fountain joined in 2003 as heart throb Justin Burton.

Justin had many explosive storylines – who else remembers Justin getting his teacher pregnant? Or pushing his sister through a window?

After leaving in 2009 he went on to play Tommy Duckworth in Coronation Street, came runner up on Dancing on Ice, and played a number of roles in Casualty and other shows.

Chris was sacked from Corrie in 2013 after a foul-mouthed video of him in a Halloween mask with a baseball cap and hoodie emerged.

It showed him rapping about rape, drugs and extreme violence as hip hop character ‘The Phantom’.
He said at the time: “I would like to sincerely apologise for any offence I have caused. I am deeply ashamed by the lyrics and very much regret my behaviour.

“The videos were made over a year ago when I was experimenting with music and I’ve not done anything like it since and nor will I.”

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Chriss character Justin got bashed around the head by SashaCredit: Handout

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The bad boy of Hollyoaks was a bit naughty in real life and ended up getting sacked from CorrieCredit: Mersey Television

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And he snogged Hannah!Credit: Handout

Ellis Hollins
Baby-faced Ellis was still a wee bairn when he was cast as a toddler to play Tom Cunningham at the tender age of three-years-old.

The character has been involved in many dramatic storylines over the years, including the death of both his parents and his brother – RIP, Max.

He also went to court for attacking intruder Esther Bloom and then knocked up his on-screen girlfriend Peri Lomax.

The star is now 20 years old and still plays the character Tom in the soap.

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Ellis has grown up on the set of HollyoaksCredit: PA:Press Association

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Tom's best mate and older brother Max diedCredit: Handout

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The actor is all grown up now at 20Credit: Instagram

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